Khadi Thagzo in Bhutan

It was a historic presentation where two cultures met on one platform creating an iconic setting at the Royal Textile Academy, in Thimpu, on Wednesday, with its stone steps leading to the dragons emblazoned on the dzong architecture facade to pay a tribute to none other than Bapu, the father of our nation, to celebrate his 150th birth anniversary.

The event was organised by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India. The other partners were MSME-KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission) and Royal Textile Academy on a beautiful winter evening, under the canvas of clear blue skies, kept warm by wood fire pits.

What took centerstage were ingenious creations in Khadi and Thagzo and among those present was the host and Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj, KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena, FDCI Chairman, Sunil Sethi and its Board of Directors. The Chief Guest of the event was Queen mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck and other distinguished members of the Royal family of Bhutan – Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuck and Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck, along with Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering were also present.

Dressed in a white cashmere lace sari, H.E. Kamboj said events like these strengthen the ties between Indian and Bhutan. “Tonight, we honour our countries through collaboration, our people with compassion and our remarkable friendship through art…The night is not just about glorious textile presentation but also about the opening of new collaborations,” she added.

FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi said, “ We are grateful to the Indian Embassy, for hosting 50 talents from designers, choreographers, makeup artists to models for this unique presentation. The Indian Embassy and the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan will send a team of Bhutanese designers which will be part of the Lotus Make-Up India Fashion Week in March next year and we hope this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful association.”

As Rajasthani folk artiste Samandar Khan and his troupe began the evening in his classic Sufi style, Chandrika Tamang, Kencho Wangmo, Tshering Choden and Sangay Choden brought out the subtle prowess of khadi with a contemporary Bhutanese flavour. 

Indian designers Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anamika Khanna and Samant Chauhan presented Khadi with a modern outlook with the first one adding his quintessential polka dots. Chauhan’s Ahimsa silk and Anamika’s hues of red and cutwork were superlative and each one elevated the humble fabric to high fashion giving every piece a distinct character.

The evening got a befitting end with the sumptuous dishes prepared by Taj Tashi, Thimphu, Chef Akshay Kumar offering Satvik cuisine, from the holy city of Varanasi that had guests warming up on a night under the stars.